Harold Turbott

Harold Bertram Turbott ISO (5 August 1899 – 16 March 1988) was a New Zealand medical doctor, public health administrator, broadcaster and writer.

[2][3] While in China he spent three months researching hookworm for the Rockefeller Foundation, followed by a course in radiology in Beijing (Peking).

[2] As MoH in Gisborne, Turbott recognised the problems causing Māori ill health: infectious diseases, poor housing, and inadequate water supplies and waste disposal.

[4] The community was resistant to the project so Turbott sought the assistance of Sir Āpirana Ngata who was Minister of Maori Affairs.

[2] From 1935 to 1936, Turbott was chief medical officer in Western Samoa where there was a need to tackle tropical diseases and infant welfare.

In 1940, Turbott's campaign for public health, particularly better sanitation, was recognised by the prime minister Peter Fraser and government allocated £40,000 for the construction of privies and water tanks.

[2] Turbott became the radio doctor from 1943 to 1984 broadcasting a seven-minute talk on health every week, taking on the position from Colin Scrimgeour.